Beautiful Burgundy
Hello Wine Lover
It’s been a while since we’ve been in touch and we’ve missed you. As you may be aware we had not one but two (such was the interest) Burgundy Masterclasses last month.
Although we decided to have different individual wines at the two events, both tastings followed the same structure and theme, which was to have four flights of two wines each. All wines were either Premier Cru or Grand Cru class from four great years.
The first flight was to compare two white Bugundies from 2022 then two reds from each of 2016, 2015 and 2009. They were both enjoyable and informative tastings and we were lucky to have had some engaged and knowledgeable participants who were all keen to learn.
There’s no doubt that Burgundy can be a complex, expensive and sometimes challenging region. Over the two tastings we covered a lot of ground and the feedback was that the wines were of excellent quality and even produced a few (relatively) good value for money wines.
For the two tastings here is the full lineup in each flight with some information about the wines including the price, average critic score (C) and the value score (V). I’ve also included some brief notes from my recollection and feedback from the participants.
If you are interested in any of the wines below, please do let us know. We are stocking up for Christmas and Gifts but can’t promise we will be able to restock all of these wines once they are gone (and they are bound to be popular once this email is read by all) so please secure them as early as possible.
Frost at Drouhin Laroze vineyard
1st flight (Blanc 2022)
Night 1
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Jean Marc Pillot Chassagne Chenevottes Premier Cru 2022 - £125 (C92/V91)
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Domaine de Heritiers Louis Jadot Puligny Folatieres Prem Cru 2022 - £169 (C94/V93)
These two were classic expressions of Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet from an outstanding year. The Chassagne was a little richer and creamier - very approachable while the Puligny more mineral and complex, taking longer to open up. Both outstanding and on re-order.
Night 2
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Philippe Colin Chassagne Chenevottes Prem Cru 2022 - £119 (C93/V92)
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Domaine William Fevre Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2022 - £139 (C95/V94)
Similar reactions to the other tasting with the Chassagne again a little richer and creamier - and very approachable, while the Chablis a little more mineral and complex. Both rated very highly and are outstanding/great value. Only a few bottles of both left but on reorder.
(*Best single bottle next day price according to Wine Searcher Pro as at today.)
Night 1
Dom. Jean-Marc Pillot, Les Chenevottes, Chassagne Montrachet, 2022
£125.00
Louis Jadot, Domaine des Heritiers Folatieres Premier Cru, Puligny Montrachet, 2022
£169.00
Night 2
Philippe Colin, Les Chenevottes Premier Cru, Chassagne Montrachet, 2022
£119.00
Domaine William Fevre, Grand Cru Les Clos, Chablis, 2022
£139.00
2nd flight (Rouge 2016)
Night 1
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Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2016 - £145 (C93/V92)
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Domaine Chandon de Brailles Corton Grand Cru 2016 - N/A (C93/V92)
The Cazetiers was a classic Gevrey from the excellent 2016 vintage and to me, a benchmark Burgundy. Faiveley is a top notch producer, who delivers consistent quality across its many regional wines and this was complex and beautiful. I’ve had and liked the Chandon previously but on this occasion the Cazetiers Premier Cru outshone the Corton Grand Cru.
Night 2
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Coquard Loison-Fleurot Vosne Romanee Premier Cru 2016 - £199 (C93/V92)
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Drouhin-Laroze Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2016 - £249 (C95/V93)
The Coquard was a classic Vosne Romanee from 2016 and a popular wine on the night. The Drouhin-Larose was quite sensational and the unanimous choice for the WOTN. One of the best Burgundies I have tasted for some time and to me one of the great values at this level.
Already sold out but we have got a few additional bottles in because of the interest in this wine and demand in the market - slightly more expensive @ £249 but still great value at this price point.
(*Best single bottle next day price according to Wine Searcher Pro as at today.)
Dom. Faiveley, Les Cazetiers Premier Cru, Gevrey Chambertin, 2016
£145.00
Dom. Chandon de Brialles, Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru, Corton Rouge, 2016
£129.00
Dom. Coquard Loison-Fleurot, Vosne Romanee Premier Cru, Vosne-Romanee, 2016
£199.00
Dom. Drouhin-Laroze, Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru, Gevrey Chambertin, 2016
£249.00
3rd Flight (Rouge 2009)
Night 1
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Denis Mortet Gevrey Lavaux St Jacques Premier Cru 2009 - £349 (C94/V91)
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Henri Gouges Nuits-St-George Les St Georges Premier Cru 2009 - £219 (C93/V91)
Both wines from 2009 are from highly regarded and sought after producers and from an outstanding, and destined to be, a long lived vintage. The Mortet was opulent and complex while the Henri Gouges, powerful and muscular and both lived up to their expectations. Both wines would grace any table.
Night 2
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Jean Jaques Confuron Nuits Saint Georges Chaboufs Prem Cru 2009 - £175 (C92/V91)
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Lucien Le Moine Vosne Romanee Les Suchots Premier Cru 2009 - £249 (C93/V91)
Both wines from the great 2009 I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Confuron as it was the lowest rating wine in the lineup and there’s not much info on it. The last time I tried it was a decade ago and it showed promise then.
Many critics think of Nuits Saint Georges as a sub region of great value. Well, it was a beautiful Burgundy and highly recommended. The Le Moine was classy and a great expression of NSG, though not the cheapest wine. A few bottles of both are left.
Dom. Denis Mortet, Lavaux Saint Jacques Premier Cru, Gevrey Chambertin, 2009
£349.00
Dom. Henri Gouges, Les Saint Georges Premier Cru, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 2009
£219.00
Dom. Jean-Jacques Confuron, Les Chaboeufs Premier Cru, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 2009
£175.00
Lucien Le Moine, Les Suchots Premier Cru, Vosne-Romanee, 2009
4th Flight (Rouge 2015)
Night 1
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Bouchard Pere & Fils Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2015 - £299 (C95/V93)
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Chateau de La Tour Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2015 - £235 (C93/V91)
A classic year in Burgundy and this shone through with both Grand Crus exhibiting typical character, complexity and some power. The Bouchard was probably the WOTN (night 1) combining elegance and power, while the Chateau de la Tour was an excellent expression of both the Vougeot sub region and the vintage. Both will be long lived wines and a few bottles of each still available.
Night 2
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Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Grand Cru 2015 - £225 (C93/V91)
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Henri Boillot Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2015 - £279 (C93/V91)
Again, consistent comments about the year - wines of character, complexity and some power. Faiveley’s wines always show well and this outstanding Corton was no exception, both stylish and appealing. It probably slightly shaded the excellent Henri Boillot in the value for money department, but this was a nonetheless compelling Grand Cru Vougeot. Again a few bottles available.
Bouchard Pere et Fils, Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Gevrey Chambertin, 2015
£299.00
Ch. de la Tour, Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru, Vougeot, 2015
£235.00
Dom. Faiveley, Clos des Cortons Monopole Grand Cru, Corton Rouge, 2015
£225.00
Maison Henri Boillot, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Vougeot, 2015
£279.00
The top ten wines
This was a tough call. Looking at the feedback from both nights, there was little between the wines which was very pleasing. If pressed to pick a top ten and trying to align the ranking and feedback from both tastings, then it would look something like this:
The whites
All four were outstanding and included in everyone’s top wines:
The reds
Purchasing the wines
As mentioned, all wines (including the wines from the tasting) are available with the following discounts as part of a mixed case. Simply add them to your cart and the discount will be applied automatically.
Bottles Discount
6-11 3%
12+ 6%
And finally…
In short, these were two really enjoyable and interesting tastings and the consensus was that we should explore the region further. That will certainly be the plan for 2026 but we would also recommend at least one great Burgundy for your festive sipping.
